scholarly journals Experimental Measurements for the Effect of Dilution Procedure in Blood Esterases as Animals Biomarker for Exposure to OP Compounds

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasim Sakran Abass
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Organophosphate Pesticides ◽  
Exposure Concentration ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Thiol Esters ◽  
Point Estimates ◽  
Acetylthiocholine Iodide ◽  
Specificity Constant ◽  
Kinetic Effects

Organophosphate compounds can bind to carboxylesterase, which may lower the concentration of organophosphate pesticides at the target site enzyme, cholinesterase. It is unclear from the literature whether it is the carboxylesterase affinity for the organophosphate and/or the number of carboxylesterase molecules that is the dominant factor in determining the protective potential of carboxylesterase. The fundamental dilutions and kinetic effects of esterase enzyme are still poorly understood. This study aims to confirm and extend our current knowledge about the effects of dilutions on esterases activities in the blood for birds with respect to protecting the enzyme from organophosphate inhibition. There was significantly higher esterases activities in dilution 1 : 10 in the all blood samples from quail, duck, and chick compared to other dilutions (1 : 5, 1 : 15, 1 : 20, and 1 : 25) in all cases. Furthermore, our results also pointed to the importance of estimating different dilutions effects prior to using in birds as biomarker tools of environmental exposure. Concentration-inhibition curves were determined for the inhibitor in the presence of dilutions 1 : 5, 1 : 10, plus 1 : 15 (to stimulate carboxylesterase). Point estimates (concentrations calculated to produce 20, 50, and 80% inhibition) were compared across conditions and served as a measure of esterase-mediated detoxification. Results with well-known inhibitors (malathion) were in agreement with the literature, serving to support the use of this assay. Among the thiol-esters dilution 1 : 5 was observed to have the highest specificity constant (kcat/Km), and theKmandkcatvalues were 176 μM and 16,765 s-1, respectively, for S-phenyl thioacetate ester, while detected in dilution 1 : 15 was the lowest specificity constant (kcat/Km), and theKmandkcatvalues were 943 μM and 1154 s-1, respectively, for acetylthiocholine iodide ester.

scholarly journals Assessment of Metabolic Profiles in Florets of Carthamus Species Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Metabolites ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 440
Author(s):  
Jiseon Kim ◽  
Awraris Derbie Assefa ◽  
Jaeeun Song ◽  
Vimalaj Mani ◽  
Soyoung Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Wild Species ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Agronomic Traits ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Negative Ion ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Freeze Dried

The genus Carthamus is a diverse group of plants belonging to the family Compositae. Florets of Carthamus species exhibit various colors, including white, yellow, orange, and red, which are related to their metabolite compositions. We aimed to investigate the metabolites accumulated in florets of three wild (C. lanatus, C. palaestinus, and C. turkestanicus) and one cultivated (C. tinctorius) species of safflower at three developmental stages. Metabolites were extracted from freeze-dried florets using 70% methanol; qualification and quantification were carried out using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry in positive and negative ion modes followed by extraction of the peaks. Fifty-six metabolites, including phenylpropanoids, chalcones, isoflavonoids, flavanones, flavonols, flavones, and other primary metabolites, were identified for the first time in safflower wild species. The orange florets contained high abundances of safflomin A, anhydrosafflor yellow B, and baimaside, whereas white/cream and light-yellow pigmented florets had high abundances of 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, luteolin 7-O-glucuronide, and apigenin 7-O-β-D-glucuronide. The principal component analysis clearly distinguished the samples based on their pigment types, indicating that color is a dominant factor dictating the identity and amount of the metabolites. Pearson correlation data based on levels of metabolites showed that orange and yellow florets were significantly correlated to each other. White and cream pigmented species were also highly correlated. Comparison between three developmental stages of safflower wild species based on their metabolite profile showed inconsistent. The findings of this study broaden the current knowledge of safflower metabolism. The wide diversity of metabolites in safflower materials also helps in efforts to improve crop quality and agronomic traits.

EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF NINE SEROLOGICALASSAYS FOR THE DETECTION OF SARS-COV-2 ANTIBODIES.

2021 ◽  
pp. 60-62
Author(s):  
Tagajdid Mohamed Rida ◽  
Konzi Clémence ◽  
El Kochri Safae ◽  
Elannaz Hicham ◽  
Abi Rachid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Test Kit

Introduction: Currently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based viral RNAdetection is the standard for COVID-19 diagnosis [2]. Though, RNA testing based on throat or nasopharyngeal swabs has shown a number of false-negative results. Antibody detection tests have been developed to detect specic antibodies, IgM and IgG, to SRAS-CoV-2 virus. The clinical relevance of these tests is still under evaluation and is highly related to their clinical performance. Our objective is to assess analytical performances of nine SARS-CoV-2 antibodies immunoassays. Materiel and Method: We collected 80 blood samples from PCR-conrmed COVID-19 patients diagnosed in our Virology department (20 samples collected at day 10 after the onset of symptoms, 60 collected after day 14 following the onset of symptoms) and 20 blood samples from patients SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR negative. All sera were tested with nine SARS-CoV-2 antibodies immunoassays ARCHITECT SARS-CoV-2 IgG® (Abbott), COVID-19 VIRCLIA® IgG MONOTEST (Vircell), COVID-19 VIRCLIA® IgM+IgA MONOTEST (Vircell), COVID-19 ELISA IgG® (Vircell), COVID-19 ELISA IgM+IgA® (Vircell), Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Roche), FREND® COVID-19 IgG/IgM Duo (NanoEntek), COVID-PRESTO® (AAZ) and COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) IgM/IgG Antibody Test Kit® (Labnovation Technologies). Results: Sensitivity of tests increases once the seroconversion to anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG positive in most individuals occurs toward the end of week 2 post-infection. COVID-19 PRESTO had the best accuracy in our study showing 100% sensitivity after day 14 following the onset of symptoms. All of the tests had a specicity of 100%. Conclusion: Serological tests are sensitive for the latest stages of COVID-19 infection. Recommendations on using SRAS-COV-2 antibody detection tests are continuously improving based on current knowledge of host antibody responses during infection. They are of great value in cases presenting COVID-19 symptoms with negative RT-PCR.

scholarly journals Prevalence and molecular characterization of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
ThankGod E. Onyiche ◽  
Cristian Răileanu ◽  
Oliver Tauchmann ◽  
Susanne Fischer ◽  
Ana Vasić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Anaplasma Marginale ◽  
Tick Control ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Camelus Dromedarius ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
North Western

Abstract Background Ticks are hematophagous arthropods responsible for maintenance and transmission of several pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Current knowledge on species diversity and pathogens transmitted by ticks infesting camels in Nigeria is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to unravel the status of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of camels in Nigeria. Methods Blood samples (n = 176) and adult ticks (n = 593) were collected from one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) of both sexes in three locations (Kano, Jigawa and Sokoto states) in north-western Nigeria and screened for the presence of Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma spp. and Coxiella-like organisms using molecular techniques. All ticks were identified to species level using a combination of morphological and molecular methods. Results Ticks comprised the three genera Hyalomma, Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus. Hyalomma dromedarii was the most frequently detected tick species (n = 465; 78.4%) while Amblyomma variegatum (n = 1; 0.2%) and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (n = 1; 0.2%) were less frequent. Other tick species included H. truncatum (n = 87; 14.7%), H. rufipes (n = 19; 3.2%), H. impeltatum (n = 18; 3.0%) and H. impressum (n = 2; 0.3%). The minimum infection rates of tick-borne pathogens in 231 tick pools included Rickettsia aeschlimannii (n = 51; 8.6%); Babesia species, (n = 4; 0.7%) comprising of B. occultans (n = 2), B. caballi (n = 1) and Babesia sp. (n = 1); Coxiella burnetii (n = 17; 2.9%); and endosymbionts in ticks (n = 62; 10.5%). We detected DNA of “Candidatus Anaplasma camelli” in 40.3% of the blood samples of camels. Other tick-borne pathogens including Anaplasma marginale were not detected. Analysis of risk factors associated with both tick infestation and infection with Anaplasma spp. in the blood indicated that age and body condition scores of the camels were significant (P < 0.05) risk factors while gender was not. Conclusions This study reports low to moderate prevalence rates of selected tick-borne pathogens associated with camels and their ticks in north-western Nigeria. The presence of zoonotic R. aeschlimannii emphasizes the need for a concerted tick control programme in Nigeria.

Effect of resistance exercise on muscle steroidogenesis

2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 1754-1760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakob L. Vingren ◽  
William J. Kraemer ◽  
Disa L. Hatfield ◽  
Jeffrey M. Anderson ◽  
Jeff S. Volek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Exercise ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Acute Effect ◽  
Anabolic Hormone ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Testosterone Production ◽  
Type 3

Circulating testosterone is elevated acutely following resistance exercise (RE) and is an important anabolic hormone for muscle adaptations to resistance training. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effect of heavy RE on intracrine muscle testosterone production in young resistance-trained men and women. Fifteen young, highly resistance-trained men ( n = 8; 21 ± 1 yr, 175.3 ± 6.7 cm, 90.8 ± 11.6 kg) and women ( n = 7; 24 ± 5 yr, 164.6 ± 6.7 cm, 76.4 ± 15.6 kg) completed 6 sets of 10 repetitions of Smith machine squats with 80% of their 1-repetition maximum. Before RE and 10 and 70 min after RE, muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis. Before RE, after 3 and 6 sets of squats, and 5, 15, 30, and 70 min into recovery from RE, blood samples were obtained using venipuncture from an antecubital vein. Muscle samples were analyzed for testosterone, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) type 3, and 3β-HSD type 1 and 2 content. Blood samples were analyzed for glucose and lactate concentrations. No changes were found for muscle testosterone, 3β-HSD type 1 and 2, and 17β-HSD type 3 concentrations. However, a change in protein migration in the Bis-Tris gel was observed for 17β-HSD type 3 postexercise; this change in migration indicated an ∼2.8 kDa increase in molecular mass. These findings indicate that species differences in muscle testosterone production may exist between rats and humans. In humans, muscle testosterone concentrations do not appear to be affected by RE. This study expands on the current knowledge obtained from animal studies by examining resting and postexercise concentrations of muscle testosterone and steroidogenic enzymes in humans.

scholarly journals Investigation of Fasciculation and Elongation Protein ζ-1 (FEZ1) in Peripheral Blood Reveals Differences in Gene Expression in Patients with Schizophrenia

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.I. Vachev ◽  
V.K. Stoyanova ◽  
H.Y. Ivanov ◽  
I.N. Minkov ◽  
N.T. Popov
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Gene Expression Patterns ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Molecular Abnormalities ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Schizophrenia (SZ) is a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by affective, neuromorphological and cognitive impairment, deteriorated social functioning and psychosis with underlying molecular abnormalities, including gene expression changes. Observations have suggested that fasciculation and elongation protein ζ-1 (FEZ1) may be implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Nevertheless, our current knowledge of the expression of FEZ1 in peripheral blood of schizophrenia patients remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristic gene expression patterns of FEZ1 in peripheral blood samples from schizophrenia patients. We performed quantitative reverse-transcriptase (qRT-PCR) analysis using peripheral blood from drug-free schizophrenia patients (n = 29) and age and gender-matched general population controls (n = 24). For the identification of FEZ1 gene expression patterns, we applied a comparative threshold cycle (CT) method. A statistically significant difference of FEZ1 mRNA level was revealed in schizophrenia subjects compared to healthy controls (p = 0.0034). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first describing a down-regulation of FEZ1 gene expression in peripheral blood of patients with schizophrenia. Our results suggested a possible functional role of FEZ1 in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and confirmed the utility of peripheral blood samples for molecular profiling of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. The current study describes FEZ1 gene expression changes in peripheral blood of patients with schizophrenia with significantly down-regulation of FEZ1 mRNA. Thus, our results provide support for a model of SZ pathogenesis that includes the effects of FEZ1 expression.

Effects of CO2 Addition on the Turbulent Flame Front Dynamics and Propagation Speeds of Methane/Air Mixtures

2018 ◽  
Vol 141 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher B. Reuter ◽  
Sang Hee Won ◽  
Yiguang Ju
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Effects ◽  
Burning Velocity ◽  
Turbulent Flame ◽  
Flame Temperature ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Adiabatic Flame Temperature ◽  
Transport Effects ◽  
Kinetic Effects ◽  
Turbulent Burning Velocity ◽  
Co2 Addition

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is one of the most promising methods of improving the performance of power-generating gas turbines. CO2 is known to have the largest impact on flame behavior of any major exhaust species, but few studies have specified its thermal, kinetic, and transport effects on turbulent flames. Therefore, in this study, methane/air mixtures diluted with CO2 are experimentally investigated in a reactor-assisted turbulent slot (RATS) burner using OH planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) measurements. CO2 addition is tested under both constant adiabatic flame temperature and variable adiabatic flame temperature conditions in order to elucidate its thermal, kinetic, and transport effects. Particular attention is paid to CO2's effects on the flame surface density, progress variable, turbulent burning velocity, and flame wrinkling. The experimental measurements reveal that CO2's thermal effects are the dominant factor in elongating the turbulent flame brush and decreasing the turbulent burning velocity. When thermal effects are removed by holding the adiabatic flame temperature constant, CO2's kinetic effects are the next most important factor, producing an approximately 5% decrease in the global consumption speed for each 5% of CO2 addition. The transport effects of CO2, however, tend to increase the global consumption speed, counteracting 30–50% of the kinetic effects when the adiabatic flame temperature is fixed. It is also seen that CO2 addition increases the normalized global consumption speed primarily through an enhancement of the stretch factor.

Macroorganisation and flexibility of thylakoid membranes

2019 ◽  
Vol 476 (20) ◽  
pp. 2981-3018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petar H. Lambrev ◽  
Parveen Akhtar
Keyword(s):  
Light Harvesting ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
State Transitions ◽  
Photochemical Quenching ◽  
Light Harvesting Complex ◽  
Complex Ii ◽  
Light Harvesting Complex Ii

Abstract The light reactions of photosynthesis are hosted and regulated by the chloroplast thylakoid membrane (TM) — the central structural component of the photosynthetic apparatus of plants and algae. The two-dimensional and three-dimensional arrangement of the lipid–protein assemblies, aka macroorganisation, and its dynamic responses to the fluctuating physiological environment, aka flexibility, are the subject of this review. An emphasis is given on the information obtainable by spectroscopic approaches, especially circular dichroism (CD). We briefly summarise the current knowledge of the composition and three-dimensional architecture of the granal TMs in plants and the supramolecular organisation of Photosystem II and light-harvesting complex II therein. We next acquaint the non-specialist reader with the fundamentals of CD spectroscopy, recent advances such as anisotropic CD, and applications for studying the structure and macroorganisation of photosynthetic complexes and membranes. Special attention is given to the structural and functional flexibility of light-harvesting complex II in vitro as revealed by CD and fluorescence spectroscopy. We give an account of the dynamic changes in membrane macroorganisation associated with the light-adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus and the regulation of the excitation energy flow by state transitions and non-photochemical quenching.

The glycomes of Caenorhabditis elegans and other model organisms

2002 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 117-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart M. Haslam ◽  
David Gems ◽  
Howard R. Morris ◽  
Anne Dell
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Entire Genome ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
The Face ◽  
Area Of Concern ◽  
Nematode Worm

There is no doubt that the immense amount of information that is being generated by the initial sequencing and secondary interrogation of various genomes will change the face of glycobiological research. However, a major area of concern is that detailed structural knowledge of the ultimate products of genes that are identified as being involved in glycoconjugate biosynthesis is still limited. This is illustrated clearly by the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans, which was the first multicellular organism to have its entire genome sequenced. To date, only limited structural data on the glycosylated molecules of this organism have been reported. Our laboratory is addressing this problem by performing detailed MS structural characterization of the N-linked glycans of C. elegans; high-mannose structures dominate, with only minor amounts of complex-type structures. Novel, highly fucosylated truncated structures are also present which are difucosylated on the proximal N-acetylglucosamine of the chitobiose core as well as containing unusual Fucα1–2Gal1–2Man as peripheral structures. The implications of these results in terms of the identification of ligands for genomically predicted lectins and potential glycosyltransferases are discussed in this chapter. Current knowledge on the glycomes of other model organisms such as Dictyostelium discoideum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Drosophila melanogaster is also discussed briefly.

Nucleosome dynamics

2006 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 109-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Stockdale ◽  
Michael Bruno ◽  
Helder Ferreira ◽  
Elisa Garcia-Wilson ◽  
Nicola Wiechens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Structure And Dynamics ◽  
Nucleosome Dynamics ◽  
Sharp Focus ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Chromatin Structure And Dynamics

In the 30 years since the discovery of the nucleosome, our picture of it has come into sharp focus. The recent high-resolution structures have provided a wealth of insight into the function of the nucleosome, but they are inherently static. Our current knowledge of how nucleosomes can be reconfigured dynamically is at a much earlier stage. Here, recent advances in the understanding of chromatin structure and dynamics are highlighted. The ways in which different modes of nucleosome reconfiguration are likely to influence each other are discussed, and some of the factors likely to regulate the dynamic properties of nucleosomes are considered.

Mesophyll conductance: the leaf corridors for photosynthesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Gago ◽  
Danilo M. Daloso ◽  
Marc Carriquí ◽  
Miquel Nadal ◽  
Melanie Morales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Mesophyll Conductance ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Cell Structures ◽  
Leaf Tissues ◽  
Change Framework ◽  
Chloroplast Stroma

Besides stomata, the photosynthetic CO2 pathway also involves the transport of CO2 from the sub-stomatal air spaces inside to the carboxylation sites in the chloroplast stroma, where Rubisco is located. This pathway is far to be a simple and direct way, formed by series of consecutive barriers that the CO2 should cross to be finally assimilated in photosynthesis, known as the mesophyll conductance (gm). Therefore, the gm reflects the pathway through different air, water and biophysical barriers within the leaf tissues and cell structures. Currently, it is known that gm can impose the same level of limitation (or even higher depending of the conditions) to photosynthesis than the wider known stomata or biochemistry. In this mini-review, we are focused on each of the gm determinants to summarize the current knowledge on the mechanisms driving gm from anatomical to metabolic and biochemical perspectives. Special attention deserve the latest studies demonstrating the importance of the molecular mechanisms driving anatomical traits as cell wall and the chloroplast surface exposed to the mesophyll airspaces (Sc/S) that significantly constrain gm. However, even considering these recent discoveries, still is poorly understood the mechanisms about signaling pathways linking the environment a/biotic stressors with gm responses. Thus, considering the main role of gm as a major driver of the CO2 availability at the carboxylation sites, future studies into these aspects will help us to understand photosynthesis responses in a global change framework.

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